Inoculation of pqqE gene inhabiting Pantoea and Pseudomonas strains improves the growth and grain yield of wheat with a reduced amount of chemical fertilizer.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to examine the role of pqqE inhabiting rhizobacteria in organic acid production and relationship of the organic acids with phosphate solubilization by the bacteria in vitro as well as in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: The pqqE gene was PCR amplified and sequenced in genomic DNA of Pantoea sp. WP-5 and Pseudomonas sp. NN-4. Nucleotide sequence obtained from WP-5 and NN-4 showed maximum sequence similarity (88 and 89%, respectively) with the pqqE gene of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CMR12a (KM251420). Deduced amino acid sequence from pqqE gene of Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 and Pantoea sp. WP-5 showed 75 and 93% similarity, respectively, with protein pyrroloquinoline quinone. Phosphate solubilization and acid production assay were quantified on spectrophotometer and high-profile liquid chromatograph, respectively, by each bacterial strain. Both strains produced organic acids such as acetic, citric, gluconic, succinic and malic acid and lowered the pH of Pikovskaya broth medium under laboratory conditions. Phosphate solubilization by Pantoea sp. WP-5 was 311 ± 4 and 204 ± 3 µg ml-1 in the culture medium supplemented with glucose and sucrose as carbon source, respectively. Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 solubilized 176 ± 3 and 298 ± 5 µg ml-1 phosphate in Pikovskaya broth medium under similar conditions. In field experiments conducted during two consecutive years, the concentration of acetic acid and gluconic acid was higher in root exudates of plants treated with Pantoea sp. WP-5 at 30% reduced doses of nitrogen (N)- and phosphorus (P)-based chemical fertilizers as compared to non-inoculated plants. Values of chlorophyll contents, crop growth rate, leaf area index, straw yield and P contents were recorded higher in plants inoculated with Pantoea sp. WP-5 and Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 as compared to non-inoculated control. Grain yield was increased by 10-12% due to inoculation with Pantoea sp. WP-5 and Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 over non-inoculated control in the field experiments. CONCLUSIONS: These results lead to the conclusions that the rhizobacteria inhabiting pqqE gene produced organic acids and solubilized the phosphate in vitro. On inoculation to wheat plants in field experiments, these strains produced the organic acids, solubilized the phosphate, and improved the P uptake and productivity of wheat. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The Pantoea sp. WP-5 and Pseudomonas sp. NN-4 are the potential candidates for inoculation to wheat as phosphate solubilizer even with reduced chemical fertilizer dose. The inoculation of the strains may enhance grain yield and net income of the farmer even with less chemical fertilizer application. This practice will be helpfull inminimizing environmental pollution.

Early efficacy and safety of Bedaquiline and Delamanid given together in a "Salvage Regimen" for treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients for whom a WHO recommended regimen along with Bedaquiline (BDQ) cannot be prescribed, Delamanid (DLM) was added along with other drugs to provide a "Salvage Regimen". The experience of the Institute in respect of early efficacy and safety of both drugs given together is presented. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the early efficacy, safety and tolerability of Bedaquline and Delamanid given together as a part of salvage regimen. METHODS: BDQ and DLM were used together to make regimens along with other drugs where four effective anti TB drugs could not be prescribed as per WHO recommendations. Patients were followed up for sputum smear and culture conversion and adverse events during the treatment. RESULTS: In this cohort study, 53 DR-TB patients (Median age-24) were initiated on regimens containing both BDQ and DLM. Sputum smear conversion was seen in 35% and 94% patients at the end of 1st week and 3rd month respectively. 84% patients had culture conversion at the end of 4th month. 29 adverse events (AE) were reported among 17 patients and there were 11 deaths. QTc prolongation more than 500 MS was seen in only 1 patient. CONCLUSION: BDQ and DLM given together in a salvage regimen is efficacious with low rate of adverse events. The combination provides hope to DR-TB patients with limited treatment options and should be provided as a life saving option.

Initial experience of bedaquiline implementation under the National TB Programme at NITRD, Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: Bedaquiline (BDQ) was approved for treatment of drug resistant TB (DR-TB) under Conditional Access Programme (CAP) of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) and was also implemented in the National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD). We present early efficacy and safety of BDQ containing regimens for DR-TB. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the early efficacy and safety of Bedaquline containing regimens in treatment of DR-TB. METHODS: BDQ containing regimens along with other drugs were designed as per WHO recommendations for DR-TB patients. They were followed up for sputum smear and culture conversion, adverse events during the treatment. RESULTS: A cohort of 290 DR-TB patients (Median age-29.77) were initiated on BDQ containing regimens. Of the available Sputum results, smear conversion was seen in 51% and 91% patients at the end of 1st week and 3rd month respectively. Similarly, 93% and 98% patients had culture conversion at the end of 3rd and 6th month respectively. 201 adverse events (AE) including 47 deaths were reported among 109 patients. QTc prolongation was seen in 29% patients but only 4 required discontinuation of BDQ. Lost to follow up of treatment was about 6%. CONCLUSION: Bedaquiline along with an optimized background regimen has shown early sputum conversion in larger number of difficult to treat patients having additional resistance of second line drugs along with INH and Rifampicin. The regimen is feasible in programmatic conditions and is relatively safe.

Indications for thrombolysis in deep venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: Deep venous thromboses (DVTs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the general and inpatient population. Current anticoagulation therapy is efficient in reducing thrombus propagation but does not contribute to clot lysis or prevention of post-thrombotic limb syndrome. Catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) is an alternative method for treating DVTs but there is no consensus regarding indications for its use. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and Cochrane library were searched for all articles on deep vein thrombosis and thrombolysis. REVIEW METHOD: Articles presenting data on DVT thrombolysis, DVT anticoagulation, mechanical thrombectomy, venous stenting and May-Thurner's syndrome were considered for inclusion in the review. RESULTS: CDT reduced clot burden, DVT recurrence and may prevent the formation of post-thrombotic syndrome. Indications for its use include younger individuals with a long life expectancy and few co-morbidities, limb-threatening thromboses and proximal ilio-femoral DVTs. There is a marked lack of randomised controlled trials comparing CDT-related mortality and long term outcomes compared to anticoagulation alone. The effectiveness of combined pharmaco-mechanic thrombectomy, although promising, need to be further investigated, as is the role of caval filters in preventing DVT-associated pulmonary emboli. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the outcome of CDT in DVT management are encouraging in selected patient cohorts, but further evidence is required to establish longer term benefits and cost-effectiveness.